Creating Beautiful Steps with Pavers

While patios and paved areas remain a key focus for our customers, our products are also used to great effect in the construction of steps. Creating step treads using the same pavers as used in an adjacent patio or path helps to unify a garden, while adding a practical and attractive outdoor feature.

Building steps into a soil base

For areas of a garden that have never seen step installation, the basic step shape will need to be dug out from the soil. Commonly landscapers use pegs and string to mark out the sides of the steps and the treads, before compacting the soil on each step.

Footings are then created by excavating soil below the level of the adjacent pavers, with concrete used to fill the cavity. Once the concrete has dried, bricks are often used to build the step proper, commonly in two layers, mortared into place. Crushed stone is a popular filling for the cavity behind the bricks.

The desired pavers can then be laid on top, secured with mortar or landscaping glue.

Constructing steps on a paved area

Building steps on a pre-paved area tends to be more straightforward, without the need to prepare the foundations. Such steps may be used to connect two patio areas on different levels, or perhaps to connect a patio and doorway.

Cutting steps into other shapes

As with patios, paved garden areas or paved paths, cutting stone pavers is often required in order to achieve the desired layout. The same is true of steps, which can be cut into all manner of shapes.

While some experienced professionals simply use a chisel and heavy hammer to cut natural stone, clay and concrete pavers, others use power saws specifically designed for the task. Hydraulic splitters are commonly used to cut clay, concrete and brick pavers.

Contemporary and traditional pavers for step construction

Global Stone Paving’s range of natural stone paving products lend themselves to the construction of steps, whether for a contemporary or more traditional garden. Our hugely popular Petrous Collection, for example, can be used to great effect in modern outdoor areas, while our Old Rectory Paving product remains a versatile and aesthetically attractive option for more classic garden designs.